UFC 5 Controls Guide & Tips (PS5 & Xbox Series X|S)

Master all of the UFC 5 controls so you can dominate while striking, grappling, and more.

As players get ready to start seeking the most epic knockouts and submissions around, knowing all of the various UFC 5 controls will give you a leg up in every aspect of the fight game. There are definite similarities to previous games, but even veteran players will need a refresher and some clarification in case their go-to techniques have changed.

We'll break down all of the UFC 5 controls in this guide including striking, grappling, stand-up, clinch, and ground controls. If you're struggling this year, we've also got some tips to help you master the nuance of UFC 5.

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UFC 5 Controls Guide & Tips (PS5 & Xbox Series X|S)

UFC 5 Controls Guide Tips

One great thing about UFC 5 is that players have the option of choosing their own difficulty and style, and that choice is likely to impact which controls you'll have to worry about. Here are the UFC 5 game styles you can choose from:

  • Competetive: Balanced option used by default for all online competetive modes
  • Simulation: Real damage, real stamina, in real-time
  • Knockout: Emphasizes knockout power by reducing health recovery
  • Stand and Bang: Striking only with all grappling, takedowns, clinch, and submissions disabled

If you're coming here because you're frustrated with the grappling system and prefer to stick to a more pure striking experience, go with Knockout or Stand and Bang. While Knockout will still give you some grappling options, it'll lean heavily on striking and away from submissions.

If you do play a style with grappling, you'll have to decide on using the Legacy Grapple Controls, the new Grapple Assist feature, or the more balanced Hybrid option. Your controls settings can be changed at any time, but keep in mind the game styles above will be set in stone for each individual Career Mode save.

We'll get into specific UFC 5 controls below, but first it's worth explaining what Tap, Press, or Hold can mean in this context. The UFC 5 controls can be very situational, particularly as it pertains to your own distance and position compared to your opponent.

However, as a general rule, you usually want to press modifier buttons first and then face buttons either simultaneously or right after for multi-button controls. For example, you may want to hold LT and LB first before pressing X or Y to deliver a strike.

For controls that say Press and Hold, particularly those where an identical Tap or Press control is available, it's more about holding down the face button as you execute the maneuver. If you quickly Tap or Press and release, you'll get that control rather than the held option which is often a more powerful (but slower) attack.

It'll take you some time to really figure things out, but don't be afraid to check your controls and moves during a match if you're unsure of how to do something. Try some standard fights with several different fighters to test out various styles.

One of the best ways to slowly learn and improve all the UFC 5 controls is in Career Mode. Your first run through Career Mode will require a series of tutorials early on, and your further weekly Sparring options will include complex training drills each of which will help you master a different aspect of fighting.

We'll be focused on the fight controls here, but you can also check out our quick guide on how to touch gloves in UFC 5 if you want to show a bit of respect before each round gets underway.

UFC 5 Stand-Up Controls

UFC 5 Controls Stand-Up

We'll get into some of the more advanced details below, but here are the overall UFC 5 stand-up controls:

ActionXbox Series X|S ControlsPS5 Controls
Locomotion / MovementMove Left StickMove Left Stick
Right PunchPress YPress Triangle
Left PunchPress XPress Square
Right Leg KickPress BPress Circle
Left Leg KickPress APress X
Head MovementMove Right StickMove Right Stick
Switch StancePress Right StickPress R3
TauntsPress D-Pad Any DirectionPress D-Pad Any Direction
Technical ModifierHold LBHold L1
Body ModifierHold LTHold L2
Signature ModifierHold RBHold R1
High Block / Feint StrikeHold RTHold R2
Low Block / Leg Catch (Timed)Hold RT + LTHold R2 + L2

Grapple Controls

If you're looking for a grapple (or fighting one off) from the stand-up position, here are the UFC 5 controls you'll need:

ActionXbox Series X|S ControlsPS5 Controls
Wrestling Single Leg TakedownTap LT + X + ATap L2 + Square + X
Wrestling Double Leg TakedownTap LT + Y + BTap L2 + Triangle + Circle
Power Single Leg TakedownPress & Hold LT + X + APress & Hold L2 + Square + X
Power Double Leg TakedownPress & Hold LT + Y + BPress & Hold L2 + Triangle + Circle
Single Collar ClinchX + ASquare + X
Defend TakedownHold LT + RTHold L2 + R2
Defend ClinchMove Right Stick Any DirectionMove Right Stick Any Direction

Striking Controls

You'll have to check your own fighter's moves for details on their exact attacks, but these are the general UFC 5 controls for core strikes while in the stand-up position:

ActionXbox Series X|S ControlsPS5 Controls
HooksTap LB + X or LB + YTap L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle
UppercutsTap RB + X or RB + YTap R1 + Square or R1 + Triangle
OverhandsPress & Hold LB + X or LB + YPress & Hold L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle
Body KicksTap LT + A or LT + BTap L2 + X or L2 + Circle
Head KicksTap LB + A or LB + BTap L1 + X or L1 + Circle

Advanced Movement

Lastly from the stand-up position, there are a few controls to further augment your movement both into and out of action:

ActionXbox Series X|S ControlsPS5 Controls
Minor LungeFlick Left StickFlick Left Stick
Major LungeHold LB + Move Left StickHold L1 + Move Left Stick
Pivot LungeHold LB + Move Right StickHold L1 + Move Right Stick
Signature EvadeHold LB + Flick Left StickHold L1 + Flick Left Stick

UFC 5 Clinch Controls

UFC 5 Controls Clinch

You'll have a few similarities to stand-up controls here, but these are the main UFC 5 controls you need to know while in the clinch:

ActionXbox Series X|S ControlsPS5 Controls
Rotate / Push / Pull Opponent
Move Left StickMove Left Stick
Right PunchPress YPress Triangle
Left PunchPress XPress Square
Right Knee
Press BPress Circle
Left Knee
Press APress X
Advanced Transition ModifierHold LBHold L1
Takedown / Submission ModifierHold LTHold L2
Strike ModifierHold RBHold R1
High BlockHold RTHold R2
Low BlockHold RT + LTHold R2 + L2

Clinch Grapple Controls

Now let's get into the more advanced UFC 5 controls while grappling in the clinch:

ActionXbox Series X|S ControlsPS5 Controls
Wrestling Single Leg TakedownTap LT + X + ATap L2 + Square + X
Wrestling Double Leg TakedownTap LT + Y + BTap L2 + Triangle + Circle
Power Single Leg TakedownPress & Hold LT + X + APress & Hold L2 + Square + X
Power Double Leg TakedownPress & Hold LT + Y + BPress & Hold L2 + Triangle + Circle
Single / Double Leg ModifierMove Left Stick to the Right, Up, or DownMove Left Stick to the Right, Up, or Down
Advance PositionPress RB + X or RB + YPress R1 + Square or R1 + Triangle
Trip / ThrowPress RB + A or RB + BPress R1 + X or R1 + Circle
SubmissionsPress LT + RB + X or LT + RB + YPress L2 + R1 + Square or L2 + R1 + Triangle
Defend Takedown/Throw
Hold LT + RTHold L2 + R2
Defend Submission
Hold RTHold R2
Single / Double Leg Defense Modifier
Move Left Stick to the Left, Up, or DownMove Left Stick to the Left, Up, or Down
Clinch Escape
Move Left Stick LeftMove Left Stick Left 

Clinch Striking Controls

If you're looking to throw strikes while in the clinch, here are the UFC 5 controls you need:

ActionXbox Series X|S ControlsPS5 Controls
HooksTap LB + X or LB + YTap L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle
UppercutsTap RB + X or RB + YTap R1 + Square or R1 + Triangle
Body KneesTap LT + A or LT + BTap L2 + X or L1 + Circle
Head KneesTap LB + A or LB + BTap L1 + X or L1 + Circle
ElbowsTap LB + X + A or LB + Y + BTap L1 + Square + X or L1 + Triangle + Circle

UFC 5 Ground Controls

UFC 5 Controls Ground

Finally, there are several UFC 5 controls you'll need while on the ground. However, exactly how these work will vary a bit based on the exact control scheme you're using.

Players using Grapple Assist will have an easier and more simplified set of controls while the Legacy Grapple Controls are more complex. You'll have a bit of an edge online if you master the Legacy Grapple Controls, but the best option for most players will be Grapple Assist or the Hybrid function that blends the two.

First, here are the general UFC 5 controls while on the ground:

ActionXbox Series X|S ControlsPS5 Controls
Grapple Stick
Move Left StickMove Left Stick
Advanced Grapple / Transition
Move Right StickMove Right Stick
Right PunchPress YPress Triangle
Left PunchPress XPress Square
Right Knee
Press BPress Circle
Left Knee
Press APress X
Advanced Transition Ground and Pound ModifierHold LBHold L1
Body Shots ModifierHold LTHold L2
Ground and Pound ModifierHold RBHold R1
High BlockHold RTHold R2
Low BlockHold RT + LTHold R2 + L2

Grapple Assist & Defense Controls

Here are the UFC 5 controls you need while using Grapple Assist or trying to defend against an opponent's grapple:

ActionXbox Series X|S ControlsPS5 Controls
Get UpMove Left Stick UpMove Left Stick Up
SubmissionMove Left Stick LeftMove Left Stick Left
Ground and PoundMove Left Stick RightMove Left Stick Right
Defend TransitionHold RT + Move Right Stick or Hold RT + Move Left StickHold R2 + Move Right Stick or Hold R2 + Move Left Stick

Legacy Grapple Controls

Once again, these will only be needed if you're using the Legacy Grapple Controls scheme or appear in part while using hybrid controls in UFC 5:

ActionXbox Series X|S ControlsPS5 Controls
TransitionMove Right Stick Any DirectionMove Right Stick Any Direction
SubmissionHold LT + Move Right Stick Any DirectionHold L2 + Move Right Stick Any Direction
Additional TransitionsHold LB + Move Right Stick Any DirectionHold L1 + Move Right Stick Any Direction

Ground and Pound Controls

Lastly, we have the UFC 5 controls while you're in the Ground and Pound position:

oking to throw strikes while in the clinch, here are the UFC 5 controls you need:

ActionXbox Series X|S ControlsPS5 Controls
HooksTap LB + X or LB + YTap L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle
Body Straights
Tap LT + X or LT + YTap L2 + Square or L1 + Triangle
Body Hooks
Tap LT + LB + X or LT + LB + YTap L2 + L1 + Square or L2 + L1 + Triangle
Elbows
Tap RT + X or RT + YTap R2 + Square or R2 + Triangle
Head Movement
Move Right Stick to the Left or RightMove Right Stick to the Left or Right
Post Defense
Hold LB + Move Right Stick to the Left or RightHold L1 + Move Right Stick to the Left or Right

That wraps up all the UFC 5 controls you'll need in each fight. If you're playing offline with a fighter you're not accustomed to, make sure to pause and check their moves to ensure you're not going for an attack they don't have access to.

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